The Care and Keeping of Your Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are low-stress, easy-to-install waterproofing measures that can help you pull excess moisture out of the air in your home. That said, you will still need to attend to regular maintenance if you want your dehumidifier to continue working as effectively as possible. The best ways to do so are as follows. 

Placing Your Dehumidifier in A Safe Spot 

If you’re dealing with high levels of moisture and humidity in your home, you may think it’s in your best interest to set up your dehumidifier near a visible leak or crack. While, in theory, this is a good idea, it can put your dehumidifier at risk in practice. If your dehumidifier ends up overexposed to standing water or other types of internal damage, it too can begin to suffer. 

With that in mind, you’ll want to scout out your home before placing your dehumidifier. Not only should the eventual location be water-free, but it should also be relatively unobstructed. This way, your dehumidifier can continue to pull moisture out of the air without having its capacity influenced by the presence of a bookshelf or another piece of furniture. 

If you’re not sure where the best place is for your dehumidifier, the contractors serving Cleveland, OH, can help you identify it. 

Think About Having to Empty the Bucket Regularly 

Most modern dehumidifiers will not overflow, as they have sensors in them that allow them to shut off when their buckets get too full. Even so, you’ll want to make a point of emptying your dehumidifier on a regular basis. This way, the internal mechanisms won’t end up overexposed to moisture. In the same vein, the debris your dehumidifier pulls in along with the moisture in your air won’t have time to allow bacteria to flourish in your machine’s filter. 

However, to avoid this hassle, why not opt for an energy-efficient, self-draining dehumidifier that can be installed by the professionals at Ohio Basement Systems? The units we install can be directed to drain collected moisture/water into a sump pump system. That way, you won’t have to worry about having to regularly empty any buckets or reservoirs. 

Clean Your Dehumidifier 

It is true: If you don’t clean out your dehumidifier on a semi-regular basis, you may see mold or other bacteria start to appear in the inner mechanisms. Not only is this unpleasant to deal with, but the flow of air through your dehumidifier can carry those nasty elements into your HVAC system, not to mention the rest of your home. 

As such, you’ll want to make a point of cleaning your dehumidifier with a gentle cleanser or soap and water between two and three times a year. If you’re unsure about how to best handle this task, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at Ohio Basement Systems for assistance. 

Checking Your Humidistat 

Your humidistat helps you keep your dehumidifier in working order by preventing you from overusing it. While it can be tempting to leave a dehumidifier running all day long, doing so can wear out the machine’s inner workings all the faster. 

You’ll want to check your humidistat on a regular basis to make sure you’re not overworking your system. To best maintain your dehumidifier, consider cycling your run time or leaving the machine off for eight hours for every 24 that you have it running. 

Inspecting Your Filters 

Your dehumidifier uses filters to keep debris out of the air that it recirculates through your home. If you leave these filters unattended for too long, however, that debris can not only move through your home but also provide nutrients for burgeoning mold clusters. 

While it’s easy enough to find a variety of filters at most hardware stores, it’s best to work with professional contractors like Ohio Basement Systems to check and change the filters specific to the units we install. 

Keeping an Eye on Your Coils 

A dehumidifier’s coils are especially sensitive, as they control the power behind the machine. Should these coils come into contact with any of the moisture that the dehumidifier collects, they can freeze – but only if the dehumidifier is stored in a location that is frequently cooler than 60­°F. With this in mind, be sure to check on your coils as the seasons change.  

Reaching Out for Professional Guidance 

If you want help maintaining your dehumidifier or otherwise protecting your home from the moisture in the Cleveland, OH, area, you can find it. The professionals at Ohio Basement Systems can help you identify damage to your home or invest in preventive waterproofing measures. After a thorough home inspection, you can look over the company’s free repair quote to determine what services may best suit your budget.